British Airways Baggage Allowance & Cabin Bags

British Airways allows all customers to bring on-board one piece of hand luggage and one small item (a handbag, a laptop, etc.). These items should meet the following requirements regarding their dimensions and weights:

- In dimensions: Your hand luggage must not exceed 22 x 17.7 x 9.8 in (56 x 45 x 25 cm), while your small items should not exceed 15.7 x 11.8 x 6 in (40 x 30 x 15 cm).

- In weight: all of your items should not exceed 50 lbs (23 kg).

If your baggage exceeds the above limit, it will have to be checked and counted as a checked baggage. In that case, the requirements for checked baggage will apply. If your baggage still exceeds that limit, however, then you will have to incur extra fees.

Music Equipment Policy

If it’s a small instrument and it fits in your bag, then it’s fine. However, if it doesn’t fit inside your bag, or if it is carried within its own case, then it will be counted as a hand luggage. In this case, it must not exceed 31 x 18 x 10 in (80 x 45 x 25 cm).

If your instrument is bigger than this size, then you can still carry it on-board by buying an extra seat. In which case, it is required that:

The instrument is put in a rigid case to protect it from damage;

Maximum size should be 55 x 20 x 16 in (140 x 50 x 40 cm);

The owner must contact British Airways at least 24 hours prior to boarding.

If an extra seat isn’t booked, then the equipment will be checked in, checked into hold and counted as one checked baggage. If it goes over the free limit you will be charged extra.

There will be several factors that decide how many checked baggage allowed per customer. Those include, but aren’t exclusively, booking, route, fare, and ticket type. Each piece should not exceed:

- 36 x 30 x 17 in (90 x 75 x 43 cm) in dimensions (including wheels and handles);

- 50 – 70 lbs (23 – 32 kg) in weights, depending on route or ticket.

The exact number of baggage pieces allowed varies between different boarding classes. The table below illustrates the baggage allowances for each type of ticket. Do note that, this doesn’t apply to flights to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and connecting journeys between India and Bermuda, Canada, and USA.

Regarding the number of pieces of baggage allowed:

- Economy class passengers can check in 1 bag;

- Full-fare Economy, Premium Economy, and Business (Club Europe) class passengers can check in 2 bags;

- Business (First Club World Biz Bed) passengers can check in up to 3 bags.

Regarding weight allowances:

- Economy, Full-fare Economy, and Premium Economy passengers can check in baggage of up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each.

- Business (Club Europe) and Business (First Club World Biz Bed) passengers can check up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each.

Musical instruments and sporting equipment policy

The general consensus is that, if it fits snugly into your hand baggage, it’s free. If it doesn't fit into your hand baggage, it will be checked into the hold as a checked baggage for free as long as it doesn’t go over the limit.

If your equipment has to be checked, in some cases, British Airways will port items as large as 75 x 30 x 25 in (190cm x 75cm x 65cm) and as heavy as 100 lbs (45 kg). Do note that once you exceed the 50 lbs (23 kg) mark, you will have to pay extra. 

For Hand Baggage Only Flights

Passengers boarding hand baggage only flights don’t get any free checked baggage slot, but you add a few at will for a fee, which depends on your route. Each bag shall not exceed 50 lbs (23 kg) in weight. Fees will be cheaper if you booked online, so do consider it in advance. The following table illustrates the price range for extra baggage when purchased online or in-airport.

Regarding the price, there will be some variety. Online prices go as below:

- First bag costs £20 - 40;

- Each additional bag costs £36 - 60;

- Bags on connecting flights: £65.

If you purchase slots in the airport, the price will be: £40 - £60

Extra Checked Baggage

Each passenger can check-in up to maximum 10 pieces of luggage per flight, including your free luggage slots. For example, if you’re boarding Economy Class, which allows you one free checked baggage, you can buy 9 more slots.

As always, the price will be cheaper when you book online. When booked online, each piece will cost £36 to £120, but they can go up to £40 to £140 when booked in-airport.

Overweight bags will be charged a fee of £65 per bag, as long as they remain under 70 lbs (32 kg). If they exceed this limit, they will be shipped separately as a cargo. Do refer to British Airways’ baggage guide for further details.

Yes, you can. There are no weight limits nor overweight charges for medical equipment. There is, however, a number limit, which is your checked baggage limit. All checked bags with medical equipment need to be supported by an official medical letter by competent authorities.

The same policy above will apply to children or infants travelling on their own tickets. Specifically for infants travelling without a seat, they can have a 50 lbs (23 kg) checked baggage irrespective of class type.